(Editor's Note: HP has issued a driver fix for the touchpad issues, though all the problems haven't been resolved)

Metals are the favored materials when it comes to laptop design, and HP is not shy about using them. Its entire line of laptops (netbooks not included) will be updated with this material by the time summer hits, starting with the HP Pavilion dm4-1063cl ($899 list). It's identical to the Pavilion dm4 ($905 direct, ) in looks and its featherweight characteristics. Of the two, the dm4-1063cl, available at Costco, is less battery efficient, although you get a bigger hard drive and gaming benefits (with switchable graphics) that should make up for the difference.

Design
HP's use of metals used to be reserved for more luxury-oriented laptops such as the HP Envy 13 ($1,899 direct, ) and HP EliteBook 2540p ($1,629 direct, ). Now these materials are finding their way into affordable mainstream laptops. The Pavilion dm4-1063cl is similar to the Apple MacBook Pro 13-inch (Core 2 Duo 2.4GHz) ($1,199 direct, ), only much darker-toned and covered with etched imprints. The etched patterns vary, depending on the configuration.

The dm4-1063cl measures less than 1 inch thick, which is slightly thinner than the 13-inch MacBook Pro and much thinner than its predecessor, the Pavilion dv4-2153cl ($749 list, ). It's light, too: The dm4-1063cl weighs 4.4 pounds, making it one of the lightest 14-inch laptops in the market. By comparison, the 4.8-pound Dell Inspiron 1464 ($670 direct, ), 4.9-pound Lenovo IdeaPad Y460 ($1,049 direct, ), and even the smaller 4.7-pound Asus U30Jc-1A ($899 street, ) are considerably heavier.

The 14-inch widescreen is generic at best, not any brighter or sharper than the one found on the Dell 1464 and Asus U30Jc-1A . Its resolution1,366 by 768is also par for the course with others in its category. HP has pretty much abandoned traditional-looking keyboards in favor of trendier chiclet ones, made popular by Apple. It's the sort of typing experience that any typist can adapt to right away, though you'll have to overcome the flawed touchpad. It's a clicking touchpad, similar to the one found in the MacBook Pros, except this one didn't deliver on the multi-touch features. The multi-touch gestures are easily triggered, especially if you navigate with the thumb and index fingers. If your thumb inadvertently makes contact with the touchpad, it could either cause the cursor to jump or invoke the scrolling feature. There are several things you can try if the touchpad becomes unbearable to use: HP is working on a driver fix (we'll post the link shortly) for the touchpad, or, in the mouse settings, you can disable the multi-touch features, under the Synaptic panel.

Features
The feature set is almost identical to the HP dm4, except the dm4-1063cl comes with a bigger hard drive (500GB instead of 320GB). Its 3 USB ports are comparable to those of the Lenovo Y460 in that both have an eSATA combo port. With this port, you can expand storage capacities at SATA speeds, which is much faster than USB. It also doubles as a USB port, but you'll need to apply some force to get a USB device in. You'll find a dual-layer DVD burner, which is similar to the one found in Dell 1464, Lenovo Y460, and Apple MacBook Pro 13-inch. An HDMI port, which allows you to display what's on your laptop to an HDTV, is located on the right side of the laptop.

Costco also offers customers some added benefits. Whereas most vendors provide just a one-year warranty, Costco bumps that up to two years. It also offers Costco's Concierge Services, a free service to Costco members who purchase electronics at the store. The service gives you access to technicians who can walk you through system setups and troubleshoot any problems. Lastly, the store accepts returns within 90 days.

Performance
The fundamental differences between the dm4 and the dm4-1063cl are in their cores. The dm4-1063cl runs on a 2.7GHz Intel Core i5-430M processor. Its video encoding score (47 seconds) trailed the HP dm4 (which, like the Lenovo Y460, came with a 2.4GHz Intel Core i5-520M CPU) by a mere 2 seconds. And it easily outperformed the Dell 1464 (59 seconds) and Asus U30Jc-1A (54 seconds). Overall tests like PCMark Vantage (5,893) and Cinbench R10 (7,775) were also within striking distance of the Lenovo Y460 and HP dm4.

The dm4-1063cl has another key component. Unlike the HP dm4, which runs on integrated graphics only, the dm4-1063cl adds a second, more powerful graphics chipset. Through a manual switch in software, the ATI Mobility HD 5450 graphics card can take on tasks such as gaming and high definition video. The software will also automatically switch to integrated graphics when the laptop is running on battery (this setting can be disabled). Although it is a better gaming machine than the dm4, as evidenced by 3DMark06 (4,449) and World in Conflict tests (23 fps), the Lenovo Y460 and the MacBook Pro 13-inch (Core 2 Duo 2.4GHz) performed better.

On MobileMark 2007dm4-1063cl's 55WH battery drained in 5 hours 27 minute via the integrated graphics (the switching software automatically goes to the integrated graphics when the laptop is running off of the battery . If you choose to have the ATI graphics card activated in battery mode, battery life will take a hit (3:24). The HP dm4, by comparison, scored 6 hours 46 minutes in the same test, thanks to a bigger battery (62.5WH) and more energy-efficient parts (integrated graphics only). Battery life, ultimately, is determined by the size of the battery, which is why the Asus U30Jc-1A (84WH) finished the same test in 8 hours flat.

The HP Pavilion dm4-1063cl is easily one of the best looking and lightest laptops in its class. This configuration is tailored to performance enthusiasts who are avid 3D gamers and HD videophiles. The HP dm4 (with integrated graphics only), on the other hand, will deliver more battery life. Better still are the Lenovo IdeaPad Y460 and the Editors' Choice Asus U30Jc-1A, which performed well and weren't hampered by a flawed touchpad.

Automatic Renewal Program: Your subscription will continue without interruption for as long as you wish, unless
you instruct us otherwise. Your subscription will automatically renew at the end of the term unless you authorize
cancellation. Each year, you'll receive a notice and you authorize that your credit/debit card will be charged the
annual subscription rate(s). You may cancel at any time during your subscription and receive a full refund on all
unsent issues. If your credit/debit card or other billing method can not be charged, we will bill you directly instead. Contact Customer Service

//our current issue

Select Term:

24 issues for $29.99 ONLY $1.25 an issue! Lock in Your Savings!

12 issues for $19.99ONLY $1.67 an issue!

State

Country

This transaction is secure

Automatic Renewal Program: Your subscription will continue without interruption for as long as you wish, unless
you instruct us otherwise. Your subscription will automatically renew at the end of the term unless you authorize
cancellation. Each year, you'll receive a notice and you authorize that your credit/debit card will be charged the
annual subscription rate(s). You may cancel at any time during your subscription and receive a full refund on all
unsent issues. If your credit/debit card or other billing method can not be charged, we will bill you directly instead. Contact Customer Service